New US anti-drug policy stresses treatment, prevention

AFPWednesday, April 18, 2012

The White House unveiled a new drug policy strategy that veers away from imposing heavy prison sentences for illicit drug use and focuses instead on prevention and treatment. The new approach looks at drug addiction as a treatable disease rather than a crime. The Drug Policy Alliance, a leading pro-reform group, dismissed the new drug strategy as being "almost identical" to those of previous administrations. The Obama administration "is prioritizing low-level drug arrests, trampling on state medical marijuana laws, and expanding supply-side interdiction approaches -- while not doing enough to actually reduce the harms of drug addiction and misuse."

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UN Drug Control

In 2011 the 1961 UN Single Convention on drugs will be in place for 50 years. In 2012 the international drug control system will exist 100 years since the International Opium Convention was signed in 1912 in The Hague. Does it still serve its purpose or is a reform of the UN Drug Conventions needed? This site provides critical background.